i like to sit at my desk and such like using a desktop pc as more can be achieved in the time given for the hardware, as such i find myself wanting a laptop for mobility but am reluctant to invest as they fail to impress me, this alienware laptop continues to do so.
The best laptop i've ever used was a dell xps one, depsite the fact that dell own alienware(please correct me if my memory is playing tricks on me) this dell was nice, it lacked raw power of computing as it was a lower end xps as it wasnt used for gaming by the owner but the finish was awesome, with brushed ali on the handrest and the case(bag) it came in was lush, i'll be giving thema little more time as intel and gfx manu's squeeze out power and heat the laptop will flourish with things running cooler....laptops are the largest growing market in computing as deskptop sales 'slow', or demonstrate a more mature growth curve :P
I would say my laptop (in sig) would probably hold its own against this, even in gaming, due to a lower resolution. I can honestly say I would not want a higher resolution on my laptop. Plus it looks better in my opinion and is smaller and lighter. If I had the money though I would probably get one.
...so if they'd applied a lower screen resolution, it would have turned out to a better performance...
I mean, what's the use of an 15,4" screen, if you use crazy high resolution?
Wow, 1920*1200 on a 15.4" ?? I've got 1680*1050 and it's small at times, had to up the fontsize.
To me 1680 is the maximum at that screen size...
If the Alienware had the 1680 no doubt it would get higher framerates with that card. Maybe you can downgrade the screen during pre buy configuration.
Why do they put these stupid screen resolutions on Laptops, 1920x is just too high for current mobile gfx cards to handle, sure it will be fine for older games, but anything coming out in the next 12-18mths will be just too demanding at that resolution.
Forget Crysis, that games requirements are just ridiculous, its an abomination, desktop Nvidia 280's cant even run that at DX10,Max settings at a respectable frame rate...i.e a constant 50fps+.
1680x1050 is just about the perfect power vs resolution combination for the 8800GTX mobile....anything higher is dumb.
I will never buy Alienware again after the experience i had with my Area51m...It broke repeatedly, they had it back for more time in an 18 month period than i had it.
The refused to give me money back so i threatened (and started the process of) suing them. I got 2/3 of my money back after that :). I now have a Sony Vaio and am very pleased with it.
All that happened about 2 years ago, maybe they've improved, but once burnt twice shy they say.
my laptop is a sony vaio tz, Ultra portable is more important than gaming on a laptop in my eyes. plus a days use outta the battery makes it very worth while
OK, I could never buy a laptop with an alien head on it, way WAY to nerdy! plus for a fraction of the price you an get a better laptop at ibuypower.com, I haven't the budget myself but that's where I would buy, and they offer quad core laptops! I can't say the sylings much better though, any1 own one?
Alienware is well known for using rebranded Clevo/Compal white-box chassis for their laptops. Usually sold by Alienware for $3000+ the chassis can be had via resellers for around $900 and you just drop in a CPU/RAM/HD in and off you go, another common company that does this is Voodoo, Widow PC, Falcon North-West and Sager. For example, the Alienware M7700A is a rebranded Clevo D900K, aka a Sager 9750.
Most 17" "ultra gaming" laptops from Sager, Voodoo, Widow, etc are based on the M570RU-U chassis from Clevo. Recent Alienwares seem to resemble the M670SRU or the M860TU (maybe M570TU?) chassis. Therefore I don't see anything really behind the Alienware,Voodoo, or Widow PC names. These chassis can be had for under $1,000 USD and fully equipped for around $1400-1700 with quad-core CPU's, 4GB RAM, dedicated 512MB GPU (8600/8800 mobile), dual-HD's etc...
Sorry Alienware, but replacing Clevo's standard laptop cover with your own piece of plastic with a little alien logo on it doesn't justify a $2000 markup.
Originally Posted by Hustler Why do they put these stupid screen resolutions on Laptops, 1920x is just too high for current mobile gfx cards to handle, sure it will be fine for older games, but anything coming out in the next 12-18mths will be just too demanding at that resolution.
it's so they can claim full 1080p resolution for high def playback.
Originally Posted by kenco_uk You can choose a smaller res screen when customising it.
Unfortunately the optimal 1680x1050 is not an option. It's balls-out 1920x or inadequate 1440x900. Bad move, Alienware. My old Area51 770 has a 15.4" 1680x screen that's *perfect*. Also Alienware continues to charge exorbitantly for memory upgrades, +$150 to go from 1gb to 2gb ram and $300 from 1gb to 4gb is simply unconscionable, especially when their parent company Dell no longer sells gaming laptops with an inadequate 1gb of ram, and offers a 2gb-4gb upgrade for $140.
The memory and screen size bullshittery and the lack of colors is what is keeping me from getting another Alienware.
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The best laptop i've ever used was a dell xps one, depsite the fact that dell own alienware(please correct me if my memory is playing tricks on me) this dell was nice, it lacked raw power of computing as it was a lower end xps as it wasnt used for gaming by the owner but the finish was awesome, with brushed ali on the handrest and the case(bag) it came in was lush, i'll be giving thema little more time as intel and gfx manu's squeeze out power and heat the laptop will flourish with things running cooler....laptops are the largest growing market in computing as deskptop sales 'slow', or demonstrate a more mature growth curve :P
peace
fatman
How is your USB whac-a-mole? Annoyed the rest of the Bit staff yet?
At least not on the move.
I mean, what's the use of an 15,4" screen, if you use crazy high resolution?
(and don't tell me it's crazy high pixel density)
To me 1680 is the maximum at that screen size...
If the Alienware had the 1680 no doubt it would get higher framerates with that card. Maybe you can downgrade the screen during pre buy configuration.
And did it pass the Martin test ?
A review is pending, actually.
So long as they don't look like paving slabs!
Gemstone Blue's at least look like a polished and rounded paving slab.
Forget Crysis, that games requirements are just ridiculous, its an abomination, desktop Nvidia 280's cant even run that at DX10,Max settings at a respectable frame rate...i.e a constant 50fps+.
1680x1050 is just about the perfect power vs resolution combination for the 8800GTX mobile....anything higher is dumb.
The refused to give me money back so i threatened (and started the process of) suing them. I got 2/3 of my money back after that :). I now have a Sony Vaio and am very pleased with it.
All that happened about 2 years ago, maybe they've improved, but once burnt twice shy they say.
Most 17" "ultra gaming" laptops from Sager, Voodoo, Widow, etc are based on the M570RU-U chassis from Clevo. Recent Alienwares seem to resemble the M670SRU or the M860TU (maybe M570TU?) chassis. Therefore I don't see anything really behind the Alienware,Voodoo, or Widow PC names. These chassis can be had for under $1,000 USD and fully equipped for around $1400-1700 with quad-core CPU's, 4GB RAM, dedicated 512MB GPU (8600/8800 mobile), dual-HD's etc...
Sorry Alienware, but replacing Clevo's standard laptop cover with your own piece of plastic with a little alien logo on it doesn't justify a $2000 markup.
Really? LOL, nice one! :)
it's so they can claim full 1080p resolution for high def playback.
Unfortunately the optimal 1680x1050 is not an option. It's balls-out 1920x or inadequate 1440x900. Bad move, Alienware. My old Area51 770 has a 15.4" 1680x screen that's *perfect*. Also Alienware continues to charge exorbitantly for memory upgrades, +$150 to go from 1gb to 2gb ram and $300 from 1gb to 4gb is simply unconscionable, especially when their parent company Dell no longer sells gaming laptops with an inadequate 1gb of ram, and offers a 2gb-4gb upgrade for $140.
The memory and screen size bullshittery and the lack of colors is what is keeping me from getting another Alienware.